Punjab to set up five ultra-modern cancer centres

The Punjab government will set up five state-of-the-art cancer diagnostic and treatment centres in the government medical colleges at Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot, in addition to one centre each at Bathinda and Sangrur, in the first phase by spending Rs 157 crore.

A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal during a high-level meeting with a team of Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (TMC), Mumbai, headed by its director, Rajendra A Badwe.

Badal informed the visiting team that the state government would ensure ultra-modern infrastructure along with updated equipment for these upcoming centres. The government has also prepared a Rs 40-crore plan to upgrade existing buildings and construction of additional wards, especially in the government medical colleges at Amritsar and Patiala.

The CM asked Badwe to provide all technical support for these centres by organising special training programmes for specialist doctors of the state for cancer treatment.

Badal also asked the TMC director to depute its team with officers of the state health department for the selection of appropriate sites for these centres.

Showing concern over growing incidence of cancer in the state, Badwe said the TMC was establishing a cancer hospital in SAS Nagar district.